Andy's game

The Newcastle defenders display against the world champions should ensure he becomes an integral part of Brian Kerrs team

As the game entered its final stages the ball went into touch for a Brazilian throw and their fine left-back, Lucio, ambled over to retrieve it, happy to let the clock tick down and preserve the status quo. They hadn’t been murdered, nor were they clinging on for their lives but at the end the world champions trooped off the field knowing they had been in a battle, relieved that they were leaving with their reputations and dignity intact.

It was so much of a coup to get the best team in the world to Lansdowne Road that nobody seemed to mind that Brazil played at no more than 75% of their peak. Fair enough when you consider that Ireland without Damien Duff operate at somewhere around the same mark. For a friendly it was an enjoyable, thoroughly invigorating contest and in that Ireland were equal partners. Without Duff they